Surprise: Zooey Deschanel and 'New Girl'

Isabella Vosmikova / FOX

The 31-year-old actress (who also moonlights as a singer and, depending on the commercial break, a Cotton spokesperson) said her nomination for actress in a comedy was a "total surprise." Though the show began strong, it seemed that critical buzz waned soon after. The actress and the show must have stayed in voters' hearts, though. For that, show creator Liz Meriwether is grateful -- especially considering that much of the show is based on her life. "In a weird way, it's like a life nomination," said Meriwether, who got word of the show's nominations in the haze of actually writing the next script for the series.

The 31-year-old actress (who also moonlights as a singer and, depending on the commercial break, a Cotton spokesperson) said her nomination for actress in a comedy was a "total surprise." Though the show began strong, it seemed that critical buzz waned soon after. The actress and the show must have stayed in voters' hearts, though. For that, show creator Liz Meriwether is grateful -- especially considering that much of the show is based on her life. "In a weird way, it's like a life nomination," said Meriwether, who got word of the show's nominations in the haze of actually writing the next script for the series. (Isabella Vosmikova / FOX)

The 31-year-old actress (who also moonlights as a singer and, depending on the commercial break, a Cotton spokesperson) said her nomination for actress in a comedy was a "total surprise." Though the show began strong, it seemed that critical buzz waned soon after. The actress and the show must have stayed in voters' hearts, though. For that, show creator Liz Meriwether is grateful -- especially considering that much of the show is based on her life. "In a weird way, it's like a life nomination," said Meriwether, who got word of the show's nominations in the haze of actually writing the next script for the series.